Sector: electrical engineering

Type of hazard: hazardous substances

Catchwords: risk assessment, epidemiology, carcinogenic substances

Status: completed 12/1997

Financed by: Berufsgenossenschaft der Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik, Schwäbisch-Gmünder Ersatzkasse

Research institution(s): Institut für Arbeitsmedizin, Universität Hamburg; Schwäbisch-Gmünder Ersatzkasse

Description, key words:

Risks of kidney and bladder cancer through exposure to cooling lubricants

Aims:

Suspicion of carcinogenic effect of cooling lubricants in the area of the urinary system. Goal: determining the frequency and/or the risk of carcinomas in the epithelium of the urinary tract in employees with occupational exposure to cooling lubricants.

Activities/methods:

Epidemiological case control study with 203 cases taken from health insurer data banks; written questioning (in particular type of occupation, possible confounder)

Results:

No significant increase in risk of kidney and bladder cancer in employees exposed to cooling lubricants in different occupational groups. Indication of increased risks of bladder cancer in the occupational group precision mechanics.

last update: 22.08.2000